Gia at Black Star Studio - Part 1

Ever since I went to the lighting workshop at The Flash Centre I’ve wanted to have a go at using the lights myself to see how easy it is and identify what I need to learn moving forward. I’ve promised myself that in 2025 I am going to really push myself to learn the things I’ve always wanted to know about studio photography and explore my potential as a photographer. I decided to start really simply, a one light set up with a styled model. I went on to Purple Port and tried to find people who had the alternative look that I was going for. I found someone, messaged, made plans and then booked the studio. Then, unfortunately, my model had an accident and couldn’t make it. Thankfully I still had a week to find someone else so I put out a casting call. I had some really nice applications and the lady I went for was Gia.

I was super nervous about the shoot because I don’t work well under pressure, normally I just panic, but when Bern at Black Star set up the light for me and I was able to start messing with my camera and the settings on the light I felt a bit more confident. When Gia arrived and I saw her awesome outfit and the gorgeous things she had bought with her I was so happy. We started out just taking some basic close ups and headshots and Gia gave me so many different shots with simple poses. I had originally requested that everything, including the makeup, be black but I also said that I was happy for her to do what suited her. It shows just how much more experience she has than me because the hint of red and the placement of the makeup suited her so much more than my ideas, and this was such a great lesson her me to learn - rolling with what the model knows is something I will definitely be doing in the future and I got results I couldn’t have imagined so it was great to be outside of my tiny imagination.

After taking few shots like this I asked Gia to put on the spiked Killstar headband. I wear this myself and I absolutely love it so I wanted to see how it would work black on black and with the metal reflecting the light, and I wasn’t disappointed. It suited Gia and her look so well I was over the moon. I like the way the highlights suggest at the headband rather than it really standing out and even though its a harsh look, the softness of Gia’s face and the texture of her top really compliments it. It also helps to keep the hair from her face so you can see her beautiful bone structure.

One of the things I’ve been conscious of when editing is creating a finished set. When I have enough experience to be mindful of exactly what poses I want to achieve and how to get them I think I will find this easier, but this first set has taught me so much about putting things side by side to ensure the editing matches and that it overall it is varied enough.

I also learned that it’s great to have a clear idea of what (I think) I want, but when Gia showed me what she’d bought with her it opened up even more opportunity to be varied so collaboration with someone so experienced is key and I know what better to ask my model next time.

I think part 2 has a totally different vibe, super Gothic and what I had planned going in to it with an even better twist, so until then, keep learning!